The town of Daio, Mie Prefecture, elected a 53-year-old woman currently pursuing a high school diploma as its new mayor Sunday.
Sumiyo Nona defeated the two-term incumbent, 62-year-old Masakatsu Hashizume, by around 300 votes. She garnered some 3,000 votes in total.
Nona, who will become the only woman to head a local government in Mie Prefecture, was elected to the town assembly in April 1999.
She started attending a night school program at the same time as she took her seat in the assembly.
Nona, who is a pearl dealer by trade, pledged during her campaign to cut costs -- including the mayor's salary.
She also said she will delay her plans to enroll at a junior college in April.
"Whatever your age is, (you) can always study," Nona said.